A wise person once said that every next level of your life demands a new you and that sometimes it takes being broken in other to become that new version of your self.
I agree with this because what it basically says is that if you desire something in your life, you would need to actively seek, prepare and plan towards it. I remember when it dawned on me that if I want to move ahead in my career, i will have to set aside my fears of changing locations, fear of failure or not being successful in interviews etc. I started in faith, I encouraged my self and spoke to God about my desires,
I started reading up on all relevant literature on moving up to the next level. I spoke with experts in my field and also with friends and colleagues who gave advice, directions and encouragement.
I watched different videos on YouTube on interviewing skills especially towards my area of specialization.
I still ensured that there was no laxity in my performance on my current job then as I believe that one does not know how or who is watching and may be critical to my next career level.
When an opportunity came up, i was excited and ready for the interview. Alas, after the interview, I was told I was not selected for the role as someone else was better than me. I was also told that my performance at the interview was highly commendable and that I was placed on a ‘Kept in view ‘ (KIV) group meaning that I would be considered for a similar role within a given time frame if the opportunity comes up. I was really disappointed and I went through a period of self doubt and discouragement. I had thought this was the only opportunity for me and I had missed it, that maybe I did not prepare hard enough or I did not have what it takes to move to that next career of my life.
Thank God for the gift of good friends and family who continually encouraged and consoled me. Also, the fact that I had started transforming my mind towards optimism and faith, I buckled up and believed that a new opportunity will come up. I also continued to research on the different topical issues relating to my career area.
A new role was soon advertised in my division a few months after, I did not apply for it because I felt it was in a specialized area of which I felt I did not have the right skill and competency to perform in. Funny enough, I got a call from a colleague in another division asking if I have seen and applied for the new role being advertised? As I was explaining to him on my unsuitability for the role, I was getting calls from other colleagues in my division asking me to apply for the new role that they believe I am qualified for it. I had my doubts but I went ahead and applied for it.
As usual, I started preparing for this role, still doubting in my mind.
All, of a sudden, the role advertisement was taken down! Nobody had a clue why and in my mind I said, oh well, this is it, again! I got a call from HR partner that I should prepare for a chat with the Line manager of the role as I have been considered for it! It happened that it came up during a management meeting and the question of why the role was advertised when the division had a competent candidate who was on the KIV group and she was not being considered as required.
The rest is history. I got the role, relocated and commenced another phase in my life!
Lessons
- Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.
- Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you to where you want to go , no one else.
- When you feel like stopping, think about why you started!
